When the integration between KeyShot and Fusion 360 was announced,

we had the opportunity to show just how quickly you could create some really stunning images of your Fusion 360 models. The plugin allows you to open your Fusion 360 model right inside KeyShot for rendering and animation, but it also allows you to update your model if you make changes to it. You can see that in the overview video and also grab the plugin here or download the plugin directly from the Autodesk Exchange Fusion 360 store.

It’s extremely simple to export your model to KeyShot–a click a button and done–but if you’re new to Fusion 360 or KeyShot, there are a few ways to set up your model that will give you even faster results. First, there are a few features the plugin brings to your workflow:

• Maintains color assignments on the part and assembly level
• Maintains assembly structure of your Fusion 360 model
• Transfers saved camera views from Fusion 360 to KeyShot
• Updates model geometry inside KeyShot through LiveLinking
• Exports to KeyShot .bip without KeyShot installed

With these in mind here are five tips to get your model prepped and into KeyShot.

1. Separate materials using different color
KeyShot respects the assembly hierarchy from Fusion 360, but will link the materials of parts that are the same color. To keep those parts ‘unlinked’ in KeyShot, apply different colors to them before exporting to KeyShot. If you have parts that are linked, you can always right click and select Unlink Material.

2. Arrange your assembly
KeyShot will maintain the assembly structure when you import your model. Even though you can group items in KeyShot, organizing it in Fusion first, for how you want to work with it in KeyShot will save you time and allow you to make quick updates to your geometry through the ‘Update KeyShot’ option in Fusion 360.

3. Explode your scene
KeyShot will import and update your geometry really fast, even if you’ve created exploded views of your assembly. Import it as a separate scene in an exploded state or simply use ‘Update KeyShot‘ from the Image pulldown to send the changes over to KeyShot.

4. Bring your camera
Using KeyShot is like having your very own Photo Studio. You can even bring your own camera. KeyShot will import your camera views from Fusion 360 as well. Once imported, you can adjust focal length, apply Depth of Field and create additional camera views inside KeyShot.

5. Keep moving!
The workflow from Fusion 360 to KeyShot allows you to transfer any model changes you make in Fusion 360 at anytime through the LiveLinking feature. Just select ‘Update KeyShot’ from the Image menu and you’re changes are transferred to KeyShot. This allows you to start the visualization process early, update the model as you go and see the rendered results immediately in KeyShot.

KeyShot Bonus tip – Use Animations to move parts (Inside KeyShot)

For those who have KeyShot + Animation, this is a handy tip for after you have imported your model. KeyShot allows you to move parts and assemblies. However, you can can quickly apply an animation to adjust your model, without having to remember coordinates or distances.

If you haven’t tried Fusion 360 yet, download and try it here. If you need KeyShot to go along with it, download it here. The Fusion 360 plugin can be downloaded here and loads of KeyShot quick tips and tutorials can be viewed in the KeyShot Learning Center.